Giant panda dies in Sichuan - is a savage marten onslaught to blame?

A wild giant panda died at the Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province earlier this week despite tireless attempts to save its life. 

On November 17, workers at the reserve noticed wounds to the panda's abdomen that resulted in intestinal evisceration.

It was discovered hiding under a rock, nursing its injuries.

Medical personnel working to save the panda give it the name Ping Ping, wishing it peace.

Ping Ping's entire body was already suffering from edema, however.

Although Ping Ping was reported to have escaped danger on November 20 following two hours of surgery, its condition suddenly took a turn for the worse.

The injured panda was rushed to provincial Chengdu, where an emergency blood transfusion was carried out.

At 5:00am on November 25, the panda's state of health nosedived once again. At 12:41pm, Ping Ping was pronounced dead.

Workers initially believed the creature was the victim of a vicious onslaught by a gang of yellow-throated martens. 

Judging by the size of the injury, however, doctors have suggested that martens are not to blame for the panda's ultimate demise.

Ping Ping's autopsy revealed acute septicemia brought on by hemorrhagic necrosis of the gastrointestinal tract, which occurred during surgery. Ping Ping had severe liver damage and also suffered from severe malnutrition. 

[Images via Sina]